I have a relic of heaven

Chapter 344 Six Hundred Years Later, Immortals and Buddhas Arrive
[In the first year of the Human Dynasty, the Emperor, resisting the demonic dynasty in the north, intimidating the Buddhist kingdom in the west, and shaking the netherworld in the east, erected a celestial stele atop Green Mountain, declaring: After the establishment of the nation, no spirits are permitted.]

[In the same year, the Gates of Hell opened, and Zhu Jiuyin descended from the Netherworld, knocking three times on the heavens, causing all spirits to submit. A message was left: "Six hundred years later, immortals and Buddhas will return."]

[In the sixty-seventh year of the Human Dynasty, the Demon Dynasty invaded the borders, causing turmoil and instability in the land. The Emperor, enraged, attacked the Demon Dynasty's capital, and peace was restored to the world.]

In the ninety-ninth year of the reign of Emperor Renzong, the sage Mozi erected the Qiqiao Tower, a masterpiece of craftsmanship, to benefit all people.

[In the 166th year of the Human Dynasty, the Emperor went into seclusion, and the Demon Dynasty, the Buddhist Kingdom, and the Underworld ceased to pay tribute.]

In the same year, the Regent led civil and military officials to pay homage at Qingshan Mountain, signifying peace and prosperity throughout the land.

The Ren Dynasty lasted for six hundred years.

The capital city.

"What, a golden age?"

The teacher tapped the two characters 'Prosperous Age' on the blackboard and asked the students in the class.

The students looked at each other, and one of them opened his history book, pointing to the words and phrases and reciting them:

"A golden age refers to a period in which a country achieves a high degree of prosperity, stability, and significant influence in politics, economy, culture, and other aspects!"

"For example?" the teacher asked with a smile.

Student's answer:
"For example, the Reign of Zhenguan as recorded in historical books!"

The teacher smiled:

Was the Reign of Zhenguan truly a golden age?

Someone answered quickly:

"Of course! That's what the book says. The Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty laid the foundation for the prosperity of the human race!"

Mentioning Lord Tang, the junior high school students in the class visibly became serious, all showing admiration. Lord Tang was not only the governor of the province, but also a duke!

The teacher smiled and shook his head:

“In the past, a golden age was indeed as described in books, but since six hundred years ago, a golden age has referred to a specific era.”

The students looked at each other, bewildered, while the teacher continued speaking to himself:

"That's right, the times we live in now."

"Throughout history, only the present era can truly be called a golden age!"

Teacher Zhuang picked up the chalk and drew two heavy circles on the two characters "盛世" (prosperous age) on the blackboard.

The top students in the front row were curious:

"Is it because we have airplanes, high-speed trains, and cars?"

"Do not."

Teacher Zhuang shook his head:

"When the Qiqiao Building was founded five hundred years ago, it did bring many great conveniences that were never seen before, such as mobile phones, electric lights, airplanes and cars, but these are insignificant."

He put down the chalk, pulled open the blackboard to reveal a screen behind it, displaying a 'world map'.

The map shows five continents in total. The central continent is inscribed with the four characters "Central Human Dynasty," the northern continent with "Demon Dynasty," the western continent with "Buddhist Kingdom," and the eastern continent with "Netherworld."

As for the Southern Lands, only a big question mark was placed above it.

Teacher Zhuang pointed to the map:

"More than four hundred years ago, Marshal Tianpeng Zhenjun drew the Weak Water to split the land, dividing the world into five parts, where demons could not harm, Buddhas could not save, and ghosts could not be seen."

"Although His Majesty has been in seclusion for four hundred years, the world is still in awe of his power and peace remains."

"This is the best of times, this is the greatest of times."

A girl asked:
"Teacher Zhuang, is it true that the demons eat humans, as the history books say?"

"it is true."

Teacher Zhuang sighed softly:

"That darkest period lasted for over 100,000 years until His Majesty was born. Before that darkest period, one ancient dynasty after another, even in their so-called golden ages, still faced the hardships of demons and monsters."

"From the beginning of humankind until now, for the past six hundred years, we have finally been truly carefree."

"Therefore, only this era can be called a golden age."

Just as he finished speaking, the bell rang, and the class monitor called for everyone to stand up. The more than thirty students in the class stood up one after another, shouting, "Goodbye, teacher!"

Teacher Zhuang smiled and nodded before leaving the classroom.

He had just stepped out of the classroom.

"Ms. Zhuang," the beautiful physics teacher smiled sweetly, "Would you like to have dinner together tonight?"

Teacher Zhuang, who didn't look very old, touched his nose:
Just the two of us?

The physics teacher nodded shyly, his chalk-dust-covered fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of his shirt.

"It's my birthday."

Some students ran out of the classroom and started shouting.

Mr. Zhuang impatiently chased the students away, then looked at the female teacher, pondered for a moment, and said:

"Teacher Chen, I understand what you mean, but I don't have any thoughts about that right now."

The long-haired female teacher paused for a moment, a hint of disappointment flashing across her face, before forcing a smile and saying:
"Oh, Teacher Zhuang, what are you thinking? I'm just inviting you to dinner. You've taken good care of me these past few years, isn't it enough for me to repay you?"

"Alright, alright," Teacher Zhuang said helplessly. "If nothing unexpected happens tonight, I'll go. I'll be there then."

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly turned his head, and the physics teacher looked at him as well.

It was a gentle-looking old man walking briskly towards them.

The principal of Yucai Middle School.

Teacher Zhuang shrugged:

"Looks like an unexpected situation has arisen?"

He asked the approaching headmaster:
"Principal Kong, what's wrong?"

Principal Kong, with a solemn expression, said softly:
"Director Zhuang, come with me."

As he spoke, he nodded slightly to the female teacher and led the bewildered Teacher Zhuang straight into the principal's office.

"It's been six hundred years," Principal Kong said.

Zhuang Zhou was slightly taken aback, his brows furrowed, and he sat down in his chair, pouring himself a cup of hot tea.
"You mean, something has happened in the Eastern Continent?"

"Ah."

When Principal Kong removed his glasses, which were more symbolic than practical, this kind and ordinary old principal exuded a saintly dignity.

"Six hundred years ago, Zhu Jiuyin came from the Nine Netherworlds and said that six hundred years later, he would lead the immortals and Buddhas back. Also six hundred years ago, the Supreme Lord's prohibition was lifted, and the Great Luo could walk in the mortal world."

Confucius's voice was deep and solemn:
"News has just come in. The Eastern Continent has undergone a change of weather. On the Nine Nether Bell Mountain, which has been peaceful for six hundred years, Zhu Jiuyin has opened his eyes and is looking at the Southern Continent."

The Southern Lands are the vast continent marked as 'unknown' on the world map.

While it is said to be unknown, it is actually the location of the Kunlun Ruins, which is also the location of the three major gateways.

Zhuang Zhou's expression changed slightly at this moment:

"Is there any news from His Majesty?"

"No one knows where he is." Confucius shook his head. "Just like you and me, we are teachers in this school, and no one knows where His Majesty has gone into seclusion."

After a moment's pause, he sighed softly:
“However, my time as principal and your time as dean of students have come to an end—it’s time to go back.” Zhuang Zhou nodded silently, his gaze profoundly deep.
"Is there any statement from the imperial court regarding the upheaval in the Eastern Continent?"

"No."

Confucius shook his head:
"More than four hundred years ago, after His Majesty disappeared, those unknown [Great Supernatural Beings] also vanished. Now things are probably in complete chaos, after all, they are immortals and Buddhas."

A trace of worry appeared on his aged face. Compared to the era when immortals and Buddhas shone brightly, these six hundred years of peace were insignificant.
Is peace about to crumble too?
The return of immortals and Buddhas cannot be inaction; moreover, the three continents of the East, North, and West have long been stirring with ambition.
Confucius walked to the window, looked at the students running and jumping on the playground with youthful energy, and his expression became solemn:
"This peace was hard-won. As for His Majesty's whereabouts, I might have a small guess. Shall we go together?"

"That is certainly true."

Zhuang Zhou also stood up, and the two "principals" and "deans of study" of Yucai Middle School walked out of the school gate quietly.

The female teacher watched this scene from afar and suddenly felt a pang of sadness, as if she would never see the gentle, refined, and erudite Teacher Zhuang again.

………………

"here it is?"

Arriving outside a small third-tier city, Zhuang Zhou stood in the clouds, gazing at the not-so-prosperous city, somewhat puzzled.

"Six hundred years ago, this place was called Quanjue City," Confucius explained.

"Inu Juecheng?"

"This is His Majesty's hometown."

Upon hearing this, a look of surprise appeared on Zhuang Zhou's face:
"His Majesty's hometown? How come it's developed so poorly?"

Confucius smiled:

"Isn't that the problem? His Majesty's hometown has never been given any special attention in the past six hundred years, not even during the fifty years I served as regent. This makes no sense."

After His Majesty went into seclusion, the regent in the court was replaced every fifty years.

Zhuang Zhou seemed to be deep in thought:
"Even you subconsciously overlooked it? Just how far has His Majesty fallen?"

He didn't believe that Confucius had truly forgotten—after all, he was the Great Luo, omnipresent in time, how could he forget things?
And it can subtly influence a top-tier player, causing him to overlook things he shouldn't have.
This ability is somewhat frightening.

Confucius nodded slightly:
"Actually, it wasn't until recently, when I received news of the upheaval in the Eastern Continent and the birth of Zhu Jiuyin, that I remembered this city—if nothing unexpected happens, it should be because His Majesty 'permitted' me to remember it."

"Your Majesty is probably in this small city."

As they spoke, the two quietly landed in this third-tier city. There weren't many cars on the road, but tricycles were quite common.

It was around five or six in the afternoon, but the students leaving school and the adults getting off work weren't in a hurry. The pace of this city seemed slow, and the atmosphere was full of life.
It's not like the bustling metropolises of today.

The two saints walked aimlessly down the street—to find that one, in a sense, there was no need to 'search'.
If that person wants them to find it, then they will find it.

If you don't want to, even if you turn the entire world upside down, even if Your Majesty is standing right in front of you, you probably still won't find him or recognize him.

Confucius walked past rows of low-rise residential buildings, when suddenly he felt something and looked up at the sky.

"It's six o'clock in the afternoon, and the sun is still blazing brightly in the sky."

Zhuang Zhou also looked up, his expression slightly somber:

"That's not the sun, it's the Nine Nether Candle, the Great Sun of the Nine Netherworlds in the eyes of the Candle Dragon, isn't it?"

As he spoke, he closed his eyes to sense his surroundings, his expression growing even more somber:
"Zhu Jiuyin is making no attempt to conceal himself; he is riding Zhongshan towards the Southern Continent—is he going to remove the Biyou Palace that is blocking the boundary gate?"

"Most likely so." Confucius's expression was also grim, filled with worry. Those were immortals and Buddhas, after all.
Those immortals and Buddhas who can be kept outside the Great Heaven and Earth and dwell in the Chaos are at least holy beings—in fact, the Great Luo and Great Supernatural Powers make up a large part of them!
"The tranquility may be about to be broken."

Confucius took a deep breath:

"Over the years, the three continents of the East, North, and West have remained law-abiding, simply because the number of Great Luo is less than ours?"

"But things will be different when the immortals and Buddhas return."

Zhuang Zhou unconsciously clenched his fists, clearly showing his own anxiety:
"It's not just immortals and Buddhas; beings like Zu Kunpeng will also return. They are the most powerful and top-tier beings. Who in the mortal realm can rival them now?"

As they spoke, they wandered aimlessly into a small alley. There weren't many houses in the alley, but at the end of the alley was a small tavern.

Confucius stroked the moss on the wall, closed his eyes for a moment as if contemplating the passage of time, and then spoke:

"More than six hundred years ago, when this city was still called Quanjue City, this alley was called Black Alley, a place of chaos—His Majesty stayed there."

As he spoke, he looked toward the small tavern at the end of the alley, exchanged a glance with Zhuang Zhou, and then cautiously approached.

"Are there guests?"

As they approached the tavern, the two saw a woman who looked to be in her forties or fifties emerge from it.
But Confucius could sense that this was a person of great ability.

Have we come to the right place?
"And who is the proprietress?" Zhuang Zhou asked with a smile.

Bai Cuihua carefully looked the two guests who seemed to have come from nowhere up and down, hesitated for a moment, and then asked:

Are your surnames Kong and Zhuang?

Confucius and Zhuangzi looked at each other, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes—they had come to the right place!
Confucius bowed politely.

"Indeed, I wonder if there is a Mr. Zhou in the tavern?"

He's not at the tavern.

Bai Cuihua opened her mouth and answered:
"He told me to tell you that now is not the time—but if you want to see him, go to the outskirts of town; there is a small estate there, and..."

The words were not finished.

Confucius and Zhuangzi suddenly looked up at the sky.

The next moment.

'Boom!'

The southern sky suddenly turned fiery red, and loud roars and collisions echoed from the south, reverberating throughout the city!
Not just this city.

The entire Central Plains, the entire world, heard this thunderous sound!
"Six hundred years have passed."

Zhu Jiuyin's voice was accompanied by immeasurable solemnity and an overwhelming aura that seemed to dominate the world.

"The immortals and Buddhas shall return."

'Boom! '

Another booming sound, as if from the distant south, as if that great sorcerer was knocking on something.

"It's the palace gate."

"What?" Zhuang Zhou looked at Confucius in confusion, but the latter looked solemn: "It's the gate of Biyou Palace."

‘Dong-dong-dong! ’

The knocking sounded again, now, at this moment, and at every moment.

Confucius saw a scene far, far away in the south.
The towering Zhulong lifted up Zhongshan Mountain, knocking on the huge Taoist palace on the back of the golden turtle. The Taoist palace trembled, and the golden turtle raised its head.

Then, Jin'ao carried the Dao Palace on its back and slowly moved to another place.

The magnificent boundary gate then came into view.

The next moment.

A giant claw pierced into the mortal realm from outside the gate, followed by enormous wings!

Standing outside the tavern, Zhuang Zhou felt a chill run down his spine as he sensed this incredibly familiar atmosphere. He muttered to himself in a low voice:

"Kunpeng"

Ten thousand years later, the Kunpeng returns to the human world.

Immortals and Buddhas have returned to the human world.

(End of this chapter)